Reception to close Albany’s Rickey exhibit

The Sculpture in the Streets exhibition “The Art of a Kinetic Sculptor,” featuring work by the late George Rickey, is drawing to a close in Albany.

On Monday, the sculptures — some as large as 14 feet high and 22 feet wide — will be taken down and returned to The George Rickey Foundation in East Chatham. Rickey is considered a pioneer in kinetic sculpture.

“Downtown Albany has received tremendous response from both the public and the art communities from this exhibit,” said Downtown Albany Business Improvement District Executive Director Georgette Steffens. “It is bittersweet for us to say goodbye to this world-renowned artist, but we are excited to unveil the 2012-2013 exhibit in the coming weeks.”

An informal closing reception for the Rickey exhibit will be held from 4-6 p.m. Friday, at the Albany Center Gallery, presented by longtime BID and gallery supporters Patrick Ryan, Jackie Ryan and Joann Ryan. The event is free.